The
passage of the conscription act was the signal for the second setting in
of the tide of Canadian immigration. Knees which bore up strongly in
favor of emancipation and Negro equality, give unmistakable evidence of
weakness at the prospect of doing service in the field. The thriving
village across the river is becoming a popular place of resort as a
fashionable sea-side town during the watering season. One would judge,
from a casual observation, that Windsor was enjoying a continual
holiday, and that all the people sauntered about with nothing to do. The
influx of skedaddlers fills the hotels and boarding-houses, and even
citizens have to open their hospitable doors.

The
flight of frightened patriots, if it increases, will soon be equal to
the great hegira of August last, when a provost guard had to be
extemporized and stationed upon the docks and in the streets to watch
every man who walked abroad with a suspicious looking valise. The
“grand movement” upon Canada in this case is not confined to white
men. The “American citizens of African descent” strongly suspect
there is to be an opportunity for them to show their fighting qualities,
and the result is that they are making tracks from the country with more
haste than dignity. Many of them are leaving daily for British soil,
showing that, though they have an ardent affection for “Father
Abraham,” they prefer that the white men should settle this little
difficulty without their assistance.

––-

Provost
Court.—Judge Peabody.—Charles
Howard, the Negro lieutenant who made a business of manufacturing
passes, signing the name of General Banks thereto, was sent to Fort
Pickens for eighteen months.

John
Sailrain, arrested for intemperate violence towards his wife, was sent
to the Workhouse for thirty days.

Mary
Farrell, for being drunk and expressing a hope that all the Yankees in
the city would get their brains blown out, was sent to the Workhouse for
sixty days.

An
ancient female who had imbibed too extensively, was sent to the
Workhouse for sixty days.

Mrs.
Coly was fined $10 for making a malicious charge against Mary Daly, to
wit, that Mary had thrown slops at her.

John
Brown, for expressing a determination to cut the throat of a woman of
bad repute on Barrack street, was fined $20.

John
Reisbaugh had to pay $5 for slapping the face of M. West.

Thos.
Bailey and G. Bovie, arrested for having arms and ammunition in their
possession, and for repairing arms in a shop at the corner of Toulouse
and Trémé streets, where special Officer Fitzpatrick made the large
seizure a few days ago. Mr. Roselins said that there were only two guns
in order, and for them an order would be produced; the rest were
remnants of guns. The Judge said that they might be converted into arms,
and therefore ordered that they be confiscated. Bailey besides was fined
$100 and Bovie $20.

Wm.
Healey was sent for six months to the Parish Prison, for stealing a bale
of cotton from the levee which he sold to a man named Kaufman for 35
cents per pound. Kaufman pleased innocence, and was discharged.

John
Gorman, for running a cab without a license, was fined $25. He had a
license for another cab, which was then at a shop getting repairs.

Two
cab drivers, named Preston and Curran, were up for getting a row on St.
Charles street. Curran was fined $10 and Preston $5.

French
Reconquest of Canada.—Mr. Ramean, a French publicist, in a
recent publication on the French in Canada, takes the ground that his
countrymen are gradually wresting Canada from the control of the
English. He assumes that they are the superior race of the Province;
that they are an invincible and unconquerable people, as is evidenced by
the history of the colony. A hundred years of British domination has not
caused the British race to prevail yet in the Province. They have had
all the prestige of power, and every external advantage, especially that
of emigration. Various schemes, more or less despotic, have been
attempted to absorb the original habitants in the race of the
conquerors. And yet the French Canadians, as a people, stand now
stronger, more united and more unconquerable than ever before. Not only
is their front unbroken, but they are really conquering the English and
driving them from Canada by the certain and unfailing advances of
colonization. The English have no alternative left them but to beat a
retreat before the French Canadian hosts. They will do it already now,
although most unwillingly, and will have to do it more and more and
more.

Not
only the Eastern townships, but the whole of Lower Canada, is to be
reoccupied by the French. It is the patrimony of their fathers, from
which the British are to be peacefully, but surely, driven away in spite
of all opposition or schemes of resistance. Furthermore, Upper Canada
will in turn be overflowed by the tide of French colonization, and be
torn away from the grasp of the British race. Such are the views of the
sanguine Frenchman, and the Montreal Witness
is constrained to admit that present appearances and the statistical
results of colonization seem to corroborate them. English colonization,
although based on a large and systematic plan, has failed to check and
overmatch the expansion of the French population. The Witness,
however, contends that the antagonism existing between the English and
French of Canada is based much less on a difference of race and language
than on one of religion. Were the religious faith the same, the English
and French colonists would not drive each other away, but either
amalgamate of be cordially tolerant of each other. The Witness
looks to a conversion of the French to Protestantism to unify the two
races, but this would seem to be a very improbable result.–Boston Journal.

MONDAYMARCH 30,
1863THE
HOUSTON TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH (TX)

Maffitt, the PirateFrom the Knoxville Register

The
vocabulary of our Northern contemporaries is not the most elegant in the
English language in their allusions to Confederate naval officers, they
invariably term them “pirates.” We have the pirate Semmes, the
pirate Maffitt, the pirate Ingraham, and various others. The pirate who
just now is acquiring the most terrible celebrity is Captain John
Newland Maffitt of the rebel man-of-war Florida,
formerly the Ovieto. No
buccaneer of old on the Spanish Main ever inspired such terror as this
pirate Maffitt. Who is he?

Some
twenty-five or thirty years ago, a dapper little Methodist preacher,
from across the ocean, landed in New York. His name was John Newland
Maffitt. We have learned that his extraction was Irish. Be that as it
may, there was no brogue on his tongue to betray it, as the editor of
this paper, who has often listened to his wondrous eloquence, can
testify. His genius and eloquence were at once felt and acknowledged,
and he was quickly pronounced by the Northern press to be the greatest
revivalist who ever trod the soil of the New World. In “reason and
apprehension he is like a God.” No sanctuary in which he ministered
was large enough to accommodate the eager crowds of men and women who
thronged to listen to his impassioned words. Often and ever the
confident sinner who went to scoff at his reputed coxcombry, of sneer at
his effeminate mannerism, quitted his presence an abashed and tearful
penitent.

We
will not attempt to follow his career closely. His first wife died,
leaving a son named after his father, John Newland Maffitt, who was
placed in the United States Navy. He married again, a dashing belle of
Brooklyn, N. Y., and soon thereafter whispers became rife of domestic
unhappiness. From that period the northern press commenced against him
the work of defamation; and, a few years later we saw the announcement
of his death in the city of Mobile–of
a brokenheart!

The
“pirate” Maffitt, who, in command of the Florida,
recently sailed out of Mobile boldly through the blockaders, and has
since been carrying death and destruction into the Yankee war-fleet and
the Yankee commercial marine, is the son of John Newland Maffitt, the
great Methodist revivalist, the broken-hearted victim of a slanderous
Yankee press. For the rest of our sketch let a couple of brief extracts
from Northern papers suffice. The Havana correspondent of Bennett’s Herald
says:

“From
reliable information, I am enabled to state, or rather, I am convinced,
that this vessel will sail for the East Indies in a few days. Our
government had better look out for her advent in those waters. Capt.
Maffitt is no ordinary character. He is vigorous, energetic, bold, quick
and dashing, and the sooner he is caught and hung, the better will it be
for the interests of our commercial community.

“He
is decidedly popular here, and you can scarcely imagine the [eagerness]
evinced to get a glance at him. He was at the Dominico this morning in
citizen’s clothes, and was the observed of every one. Nobody, unless
informed, would have imagined the small, black-eyed gentleman, with his
romantic appearance, to be a second Semmes, probably in time to be a
more celebrated and more dangerous pirate.

He
was alone, taking a cup of coffee, seemingly unconscious of having any
more serious occupation on hand. As soon as he perceived that his
presence attracted attention, he blushed like a girl, paid his bill and
decamped.” ->

The
World comments thus upon the
subject of the Florida and her
Captain:

“The
exploits of the Confederate steamer Florida
off the coast of Cuba created a profound excitement in shipping circles
in this city yesterday. And well they might. As swift as the Alabama,
stronger and with heavier guns, the Florida
is commanded by an officer who believes in fighting. His dash at the Hatteras,
right under the guns of a whole fleet of Union vessels, shows Mr.
Maffitt is a very different person from Semmes. The career of the latter
has been very destructive to our commercial marine, but he has never yet
ventured upon a fight. The Captain of the Ovieto
or Florida is a different sort of person, and evidently emulates the
fame of a Paul Jones, rather than a Captain Kidd. The fact that his crew
are southerners, while the men on board the Alabama are Englishmen, may
account for the boldness of the one officer and the caution of the
other.”

––-

The
long, lean, lanky individual, who reigns over the Yankee nation, would
have made a most excellent clown in a circus, and in that capacity
filled the country with laughter instead of drowning it in tears. He is
a good joker, though, as the London Times says, his unseasonable
displays of wit “all have a moral of unscrupulous morality.”

There
was not only wit, however, in his reply to the paymaster, but we expect
there was equally as much truth.

A
Washington correspondent of a New England journal says that the
President looks haggard and careworn, yet he preserves his good nature,
and some new story or bon mot
from him is always in circulation. The last was uttered on Saturday at
the public reception, when a Western paymaster in full major’s attire
was introduced, and said: “Being here, Mr. Lincoln, I thought I’d
call and pay my respects.” “From the complaints of the soldiers,”
responded the President,” I guess that’s about all any of you do
pay.”

––-

Our Special Dispatches.Telegraphed from Beaumont.

Alexandria March 25.–The Appeal
says our Government must resort to taxation, or the currency will
continue to depreciate.

The
Richmond Enquirer urges every man and every woman in the country to
plant corn. Renounce cotton and tobacco, and plant every acre in corn
and oats.

The
New York Chamber of Commerce has urged Lincoln to issue Letters of
Marque and Reprisal.

On
the 10th, gold was selling in Richmond at 4 dollars premium, thereby
requiring 500 Confederate Treasury notes in exchange of 100 dollars in
gold.

Applicants
for passports to leave the country have to swear that they have not been
drafted or mustered into service, and also give bond of one thousand
dollars.

Brigham
Young has been arrested, under the Congressional polygamy act, and
required to give $2000 bonds.

TUESDAYMARCH 31, 1863THE
HARTFORD DAILY COURANT (CT)

The
Naval Fight at Port Hudson.

New York, March 30.–The New Orleans Picayune
of the 22d says, the Monongahela,
whose machinery was injured during the fight of last Saturday night, has
repaired the damage done to her wood work and is in good order again. On
Friday she steamed up near the lower batteries and threw several shell
from her 200 pounder rifled Parrotts.

New
Orleans advices state that on the approach of Banks’ forces the rebels
retired to Port Hudson. Col. Clark of Gen. Banks’ staff was severely
wounded in the leg while reconnoitering. The man who shot him was
subsequently killed. Gen. Banks was at New Orleans on the 23d. On the
return of the army to Baton Rouge, he issued a general order announcing
the “entire object of the expedition was accomplished, and that it was
a complete success.” The movement is understood to have been a mere
diversion to enable Farragut’s fleet to pass the batteries, and not
the reduction of Port Hudson. Another account says the army now extends
from Baton Rouge a few miles outside. It is said information was
received by Gen. Grover that the rebels were about to attack Baton
Rouge, which rendered the retrograde movement advisable. Our fleet is
now a few miles below Baton Rouge. The rebel force there is said to
number 20,000.

Report
says the Mississippi, before her destruction, had silenced two rebel
batteries except one gun; and that the Richmond,
which had passed Port Hudson, returned, and, mistaking her for a rebel
gunboat coming out of one of the bayous, fired upon her so rapidly as to
mostly sweep her decks. This was not discovered till she was aground and
her destruction inevitable.

A
semi-official account of the engagement says that, after the arrival of
the army from Baton Rouge and the skirmishes of Saturday afternoon,
Admiral Farragut’s fleet, which was at anchor 5 or 6 miles below Port
Hudson, prepared to pass the batteries. The signal for advance was made
at 9:30, a beautiful starlight night.

The
Hartford, with the Albatross
alongside, took the lead, and both successfully passed the batteries.
The Richmond and Genesee
followed. The Richmond,
exposed to the fire of all the batteries and receiving a shot through
her steam drum, was obliged to fall back out of range of the batteries.
She lost 3 killed and 7 wounded.

The
Monongahela and the Kineo
went up next. Captain McKinstry, of the Monongahela,
was seriously injured. The entire loss in this vessel was 7 killed and
21 wounded. The Kineo was
exposed to a severe fire, and so badly damaged that she was compelled to
fall back. The sidewheel gunboat Genesee
was somewhat damaged, and also fell back. The Mississippi
grounded nearly in the center of the entire range of shore batteries
extending 3½ miles. She grounded at midnight, and stood fire 40 minutes
before she was abandoned. Forty-five of her men are killed or missing.
She was set on fire and destroyed. Many of the men escaped.

The
engagement lasted from 10 o’clock till 1 a.m.
The Confederate batteries at first fired badly, but after the Mississippi
grounded, and they got the range, the firing was very effective.

While
the gunboats were under the batteries, the six mortars and the iron-clad
Essex fired across, keeping up
a continuous shelling of the rebel batteries. Fires were built all along
the opposite bank to show the enemy the exact position of the ships.1

Confederate
loss unknown.

Slavery
and the Constitution.

We
are now passing through a crisis which is to affect materially the
destiny of the race. Two antagonistic systems are joined in mortal
combat. On the one side is liberty supported by the maxims of philosophy
and the truths of religion; on the other, an enormous system of
oppression that drags the only apologies for its existence from the
rubbish of past ages and long-exploded theories. Wherever education andmoral truth elevate the popular mind, freedom must follow. Peter
the Great found the Russians barbarians. In a century and a half they
have become civilized, and now Alexander strikes the manacles from every
serf. Perhaps the foresight of the Emperor precipitated the step.
However that may be, the growth of correct ideas had already written an
edict of emancipation which no despot could veto.

America
is the home of freedom. Our Government is based upon an acknowledgement
of the fundamental and absolute equality of man. Practically we have
denied what theoretically we claimed to be self-evident truth. Had the
supporters of human slavery observed the obligations of the
Constitution, this strange anomaly might have continued for many years
to come. But knowing that the sentiments of the whole civilized world
pronounced the system a monstrous wrong, they determined to cut loose
from the rest of mankind in the hope of establishing a new dynasty with
slavery for its corner-stone. The movement was undertaken in frenzy. The
first acts of the conspirators were gross outrages upon the Government.
After multiplied offenses–wither of which was a just cause of
war–they put themselves without the pale and protection of the
Constitution by the wanton bombardment of a national fort. That crime
sealed the death warrant of bondage in America. The President for many
months tried to put down the revolt and save its cause. Federal generals
and statesmen employed most dexterous efforts to crack the skulls of
rebels without cutting the cords which bound the Negro. The Government
clung to the old prejudices in favor of the “peculiar” rights of the
South till its position became absurd. With equal propriety it might
have decided to restore every Parrott gun captured in battle as to
return “fugitives from labor.” Necessities growing out of the
situation have forced the country to take its present position with
reference to slavery. If emancipation imposes hardships and losses upon
the Southern master, he can blame no one but himself.

All
the talk about the violation of the Constitution and the subversion of
Southern rights springs either from ignorance or dishonesty. In war it
is right and necessary to disarm the enemy. If he fights with Minié
rifles, we must take them if we can. If he makes use of an institution
thoroughly hostile to the genius of our Government, the spirit of
Christianity, and the civilization of the age, shall we not also improve
the opportunity to wrest it from his control and hurl the stumbling
block from the pathway of the nation? The present Administration was
excessively scrupulous in its efforts to protect and thus to continue
slavery. Had the enemy yielded in the early stages of the war, the
institution would have remained to stir up another and more calamitous
rebellion at some future time. But if we persevere now, if we fulfill
the mission which Providence most obviously imposes upon us, we shall
become a thoroughly homogeneous people, and acting in perfect harmony,
shall work out the noble destiny before us.

WEDNESDAYAPRIL 1, 1863NEW
HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT & STATE GAZETTE

“Buffaloes”
and “Copperheads.”—Men in the South who still adhere to
the Union and the Constitution are called “Buffaloes,” and those in
the North who occupy the same position are called “Copperheads.”
True Union men and devoted friends of the Constitution are vilified in
both sections by the dominant parties–which is not the only evidence
we have of the truth of Mr. Seward’s declaration, endorsed by the
President himself, that the radicals of both sections are “acting in
concert together” for the destruction of the Union. And they will
surely succeed unless they are overthrown by the “Buffaloes” and
“Copperheads”–the Union men of the South and the Democracy or
Union men of the North.

––-

A
good old Democrat writes to the Portland Argus
as follows: “The abolitionists call us Copperheads. Copper is useful.
It has prevented many a good ship, and it will protect the ship of
State, under Democratic auspices. Democrats, let us ‘copper fasten’
the Constitution, and save the Republic.”

––-

Running
the Blockade.—The N. Y. Commercial
Advertiser publishes a letter from Nassau which states that that
port was crowded with blockade runners, consisting of small sized
steamers, brigs, schooners and sloops; some unloading cotton, others
putting on dry goods, salt, provisions, &c., ostensibly for Halifax
or St. John, N. B. The town, with its hotels and boarding houses, was
crowded to overflowing with the officers and crews of these vessels.
They are wild over their success in the contraband trade, many having
made fortunes. The arrivals from Dixie are numerous. They are mostly
from Charleston. Some of the captains remark that they were fired at
without effect; others that they saw no blockade vessels, and one stated
that he passed two at a short distance, and they did not attempt to
intercept or chase him. It is said that more than 10,000 bales of cotton
have been landed at Nassau during the last two months. Seven steamers,
one schooner and two sloops arrived from Charleston during the month of
February, and a schooner and a sloop from Savannah. During the same
period 19 vessels left with dry goods, provisions, &c., for Southern
ports; among them a sloop loaded with gun-powder. Nine of the number
were steamers. It seems from this account that the blockade of
Charleston is very inefficient. Some people are so uncharitable as to
insinuate that the blockade can be “run” by any vessel that will
“pay toll,” and the above account seems to give plausibility to the
“base insinuation.”

––-

Washington
a “Copperhead.”—George Washington was a
“Copperhead” according to the Republican definition of that word. If
the following extracts from his Farewell Address are not “Copperhead
sentiments,” we know not what are. At any rate hey are Democratic
sentiments:

“Indignantly
frown upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of
our Country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link
together the various parts.

“The
Constitution which at any time exists, till changed an explicit and
authentic act of the people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.

“Resist
with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles however specious
the pretexts

“The
spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the
departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government,
a real despotism.

“Let
there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may
be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free
governments are destroyed."2

Old
Abe and the Negro Soldiers.—The Washington correspondent of
the Boston Herald says:

“The
President informed a member of Congress yesterday that the sending of
Negroes into the field was against his desire; that he only wished them
to work on fortifications, and in some cases to garrison them, but that
he was entirely overruled by outside pressure from military and civil
quarters alike, and in heeding it, in deference to his own judgment,
finds himself surrounded by one of the gravest issues of the war. The
enemy has notified the Government that they will put to death all
Negroes found in arms. The President has placed them in the field, and
must take the responsibility of protecting them.”

––-

Is
This a Free Country?—In one of Mr. Seward’s letters to
the British minister, published in the “Diplomatic correspondence”
printed by order of Congress, occurs the following most remarkable and
disgraceful sentence:

“I
can touch a bell on my right hand and order the imprisonment of a
citizen of Ohio; I can touch a bell again and order the arrest of a
citizen of New York; and no power on earth, except the President, can
release them. Can the Queen of England, in her dominions, do so much?”

If
the object of Mr. Seward was to humiliate the people of this country and
to disgrace and degrade them in the eyes of the whole civilized world,
he could not have done it more effectually. He boasts of the arbitrary
and unlimited power of the Government–boasts that it is a more perfect
despotism than the English monarchy, and glories in the fact that it
dares to override the Constitution and the laws and to ruthlessly
trample upon the rights and liberties of the citizens whose servant it
is! And in the wantonness of his arrogance, he tauntingly asks whether
the Queen of England dares to thus outrage the laws and the rights of
citizens in her dominions. No, she dare
not! Conduct on her part like that pursued by our Government would cause
her throne to be upset and herself and family driven into exile from
their land. Yet we are called a free people, and our Government a free
Government, while the English people are the subjects of a monarchy.

––-

“Depreciating
the Currency.”—It
appears that the business men of Boston, “loyal Boston,” are engaged
in “the despicable work of depreciating the currency”–actually
refusing to take the “greenbacks,” the “legal tender
greenbacks,” in payment of debts contracted before the law was passed
making them legal tender. The Boston Post
states this. It says: “We understand that parties in Boston are
refusing he United States paper currency in the payment of mortgages and
dues to savings banks, and that they do this under legal advice, upon
the grounds that Congress has no right to issue such bills and make them
legal tender; and that, if the question is carried up to the Supreme
Court of the United States, it will be so decided.” This is
treason–flat burglary, according to Republican logic, and “something
must be done about it,” and that speedily. This appealing to the
Courts–this claiming the protection of the Constitution–must be
stopped. Let Uncle Abe issue a proclamation upon the subject at once!

THURSDAYAPRIL 2,
1863THE
PITTSFIELD SUN (MA)

Fun in Camp.–A rich
story is told of the boys in the 2d Vermont regiment. It seems that the
men of the 26th New Jersey regiment repeatedly stole the fresh meat from
the Vermont boys in the night and appropriated it for their own use.
Some of the Vermont boys killed the New Jersey Colonel’s Newfoundland
dog, dressed it neatly, and hung up the quarters in the
Quartermaster’s Department. The “Jerseys,” mistaking it for
mutton, stole it as usual, and bore it off in triumph. The Vermonters
were on the watch, and ascertained that it was served up the next day
upon the table of the Jersey officers. The joke soon became public, and
the “Jerseys” are greeted, when they visit the camps of the
Vermonters, with a “bow-wow-wow” by way of friendly salutation.

––-

A
staff officer of the McClellan breed in the Union service, when asked
why the rebel army of Virginia was allowed to recross the Potomac
without loss after the battle of Antietam, with un conscious sincerity
replied that it was “not the game” to win annihilating Union
victories–that the plan was to have the war linger along without
conclusive advantage to either side until the Democrats could get into
power, when they would make a compromise. We believe the naïve
candor of this response cost the green aide his commission; but
Democrats all around us, who have no military appointments to lose,
confidentially repeat his avowal, and the whole policy of their party is
based on his idea. “Every month that accomplishes nothing,” they
say, “weakens the Republicans and strengthens our party; we shall
certainly carry the next Presidential election if the war goes on as it
has done and the rebellion holds out; and then we can make a peace with
our Democratic brethren who are making an irregular opposition in the
South to Abolition rule.”–N.
Y. Tribune.

––-

A
correspondent, writing before Vicksburg, says that the rebel officials
in that city recently sent an invitation to Gen. Grant, Admiral Porter
and other Union offices to attend a grand ball to be given in Vicksburg.
Our officers were assured that they would be treated in the kindest and
most generous manner, and that no effort would be spared to render the
occasion pleasant and memorable. They would be introduced to the most
fascinating belles of the Mississippi, and subjected to the dangerous
fire of their bright eyes. Our officers declined the polite invitation,
as they had but little heart for banqueting with those to-night when
to-morrow they might meet as foes.

––-

The
New York World has a special
dispatch from Washington that the first draft in the North will be of
free Negroes. All the able bodied colored men between 20 and 25 years of
age are to be taken to fill up the ranks of the various Negro brigades
now under way. This has been decided upon, it is reported, at the
instigation of Gov. Andrew, who is furious at the free Negroes for their
backwardness in coming forward to fight for their race. There are not
enough of Negroes to be had within our present army lines to garrison
the sea coast, as Government designs, by this class of troops, and the
impressment of the northern Negroes would immediately add about 40,000
effectives to the black army.

A Princely Wedding.–The
Prince’s wedding in London was a more sanguinary affair that at first
appeared. We learn now that seven women were crushed to death by the mob,
and upwards of one hundred persons had their limbs broken. This in London
alone. Probably in other cities of the islands, where the excitement seems
to have been nearly as great, there were enough killed to make up a hundred,
and the wounded doubtless count by thousands. This makes a respectable
hecatomb for the occasion, but it was not enough. In Cork–and in how many
other Irish cities we know not–riots were got up, and the streets had to
be several times cleared at the point of the bayonet. In London the
break-down of the Police is described as complete, and the “fierce-looking
chargers” upon whom the Press love to descant, had hard work to prevent a
general tumult. In England, and ocean of bad beer was drank, and in Scotland
and Ireland, seas of usquebaugh, and the amount of drunkenness seems to have
been frightful. Had it occurred on this side of the Atlantic, the English
Press would have dilated upon the affair as an unparalleled scene of
killing, maiming and fighting, of yelling, drunkenness and madness. It is
well for the women of England and the peace of mind of the kingdom that
there are no more Princes of Wales to wed.–N.
Y. Times.

––-

Worldly Vanity in Charleston.–The
special correspondent of the London Times
writes from Charleston, S. C., as follows:

“On
the night of my arrival here, a large ball was given by the members of Gen.
Beauregard’s staff, and it would have been difficult for a stranger
suddenly introduced into the ball room to credit the assertion that the
country which could exhibit its daughters is such rich and brilliant dresses
had been for nearly two years shut out by blockade from Paris and Europe. It
is scarcely an extravagant statement to assert that, even in their present
so called destitute condition, such States as South Carolina and Georgia
possess still the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, to an extent
unsurpassed in the richest countries of the world.”

––-

The
Albany Argus, while it considers
the Conscription bill “flagrantly indiscreet and unwise, independently of
the question of its constitutionality,” says: “This bill has become law,
and however odious its provisions, if they are in accordance with the
Constitution, and thus endowed with vitality, they will command the
obedience of a law-abiding people–and especially of that portion of the
people who rally under the banner of ‘The Constitution, the Union and the
Laws.’ They will not inaugurate revolution, but they will resort to all
peaceful remedies for unconstitutional or unwise legislation.”

FRIDAYAPRIL 3,
1863THE
CALEDONIAN (VT)

The
Battle-Field at Murfreesboro.

I
have just returned from Murfreesboro, where I spent two days in riding
through the vast encampments of our troops, and over the late battle
ground. I traversed about five miles in extent of the battle ground,
first in the fields, and then in the woods among the cedars and timbers
where much of the hard fighting was done. No man at a distance, and only
receiving the newspaper accounts, can form any idea of the number of
dead horses and mules upon the ground. Their names are legion. They are
often piled up, one upon another–some shot through the body, some
through the neck, others with heads and legs shot off. But all are in a
wonderful state of preservation, though lying on the field more than two
months.

The
trees were peppered with bullets for miles, the twigs are cut off and
many trees are cut off at points ranging from five to thirty feet from
the ground. Large trees of size sufficient to make sawlogs, where the
cannon balls struck them fairly, they passed clear through, and daylight
can be seen through as one rides along. Cannon balls are to be seen all
along the line, and shells that failed to explode. In other instances,
pieces of shell are upon the ground, and among the cedars I handled
them.

The
graves of the dead are to be seen everywhere, in untold numbers. The
head-boards of single graves indicate who many of them are, giving
names, regiments and residences. Among the rebel graves I found the name
of a relative of my wife, a captain of artillery, from Alabama, killed
in the fight on the 30th of December. In many instances ditches were
dug, and from seventy-five to a hundred men packed in. The dirt upon
many of these is only a few inches deep, and in some instances hands and
feet are sticking out. The greatest sight to be seen is that in front of
where Gen. Rosecrans massed his artillery, say one hundred and twenty
guns. Dead horses and mules and an innumerable quantity of graves tell
the effect of these guns! I could but feel sad as I passed over this
terrible battle ground, and yet I felt that there thousands of Southern
soldiers in rebellion against the government of the United States had
villainously sought, and righteously found, their rights–not in the
“territories,” but in the cotton fields and cedar thickets of a
state they had forced out of the Union at the point of the bayonet, and
in opposition to the known wishes of a majority of the real people.–Parson Brownlow.

––-

The
second Quaker monitor sent down to draw the fire of the Vicksburg
batteries must have cost the rebels several thousand dollars in
ammunition. Besides, offices observing the action with powerful glasses
report that seven of the large guns burst, destroying many lives and
wounding a large number of offices and men. This has since been
confirmed by deserters from the rebel army at Vicksburg.

––-

Among
the deserters who were arrested in New York a day or two since was James
Kippler, who had enlisted in nine regiments and received one thousand
dollars in bounty.

––-

Kansas
has a dozen regiments of white men, five regiments of Indians, and two
regiments of Negroes.

The
Horrors of Richmond.

If
we can believe the testimony of Union men who have been held as
prisoners by the Rebels in Richmond, the state of things there grow more
terrible every day. We feel assured that the truth is told, for we know
how bad our prisoners were treated there more than a year ago when the
Rebels had very much better supplies of provisions and clothing than
they now have. The statements of returned prisoners are confirmed by
Rebel prisoners, and also by our returned soldiers who have had some
opportunity to witness the devastating effects of a two years’ war in
Virginia.

When
we read such accounts as the following we are ready to believe the
reports that the Rebels are about evacuating Virginia entirely and going
into the cotton and Gulf states. For how can they live much longer so
far from the base of supplies, and with an immediate prospect of having
the main channel through which those supplies come cut off by the
Federal occupation of the entire Mississippi river? We care not much if
the Rebels are not able to exist, but it makes us sad to read of such
barbarities as the following. The Wheeling, (Va.,) Intelligencer
publishes the statement of Isaac Bloss, a Unionist just returned from a
six months captivity in Richmond:

“Mr.
Bloss says that for four months he and his companions lived upon mule
and horse meat, the most of which was rotten and stunk so badly that he
could smell it a square distant. He has helped to put men in the coffins
who died from actual starvation. Many of his companions were so badly
afflicted with scurvy that their teeth could be easily pulled out with
the fingers. Those who could not provide themselves with blankets were
compelled to sleep upon the hard floor of the lousy, filthy prison. Mr.
Bloss says the confederate army is now upon quarter rations, which
statement is verified by the Richmond papers. It is common talk in
Richmond that the people in various sections of the state are actually
starving for the necessaries of life.”

––-

Important
from Vicksburg.

A
Cairo special dispatch to Chicago says Wednesday evening, 28th ult., the
rams Lancaster and Switzerland
undertook to run the batteries at Vicksburg. As soon as they came within
range the rebels opened a tremendous fire. The Lancaster
was struck thirty times. Her entire bow was shot away, causing her to
sink immediately, turning a complete somersault as she went down. All
the crew except two escaped. The Switzerland
was disabled by a 64-pounder penetrating her steam drum. She floated
down, the batteries still firing and striking her repeatedly, until
finally the Albatross ran
alongside and towed her to the lower mouth of the canal. The loss of
life in her is not ascertained.

SATURDAYAPRIL 4, 1863THE
NEWPORT MERCURY (RI)

Removing the Obstructions in
Charleston Harbor.–A letter from Port Royal says of Capt.
Ericsson’s invention for removing torpedoes in Charleston harbor:

An
iron frame, floated to the water’s edge by iron sponsons, is pushed
ahead of the Monitor as she runs in.3
It’s length, from the bow of the Monitor is from 20 to 30 feet. An
aperture is made next to the vessel of the shape of her bows, intended
to receive it. The breadth of the “Obstruction Remover,” as it is
called, is 12 feet. From each side of the extremity a strong bar runs or
shaft runs down also 12 feet, the Monitor drawing but from eight to 10
feet of water, thus rendering it impossible for any torpedoes over which
this “Obstruction remover” passes to injure the vessel.

A
number of iron bars are used, not only to network, so as to either push
forward or explode every torpedo less than twelve feet under water, but
also to strengthen and steady the masts. At the bottom a heavy tie-bar
unites these two vertical rods, upon which rests the percussion torpedo
containing seven hundred pounds of powder. Above this is a hammer with
catches in a spring so stiff as to require two men to set it, but
constructed so that the lever which protrudes in front, forming the
handle or other end of the hammer, will cause the spring to give with
little pressure. This is to remove “piles.” The experiments made
upon this machine in the North have demonstrated the fact that it is a
complete success, and an amount of powder greater than has ever been
proposed for a torpedo before, caused no injury to the vessel, and
indeed did not disturb any of the ties of the “Obstruction remover.”
It will be seen that under no circumstances can any strain be given to
the Monitor, for supposing the apparatus to be destroyed, as it floats
independently of the Monitor, supporting itself, the worst that can
happen is its loss.

––-

The
officers and enlisted men of the army are hereafter to be distinguished
by a badge that will show to what corps and division of corps they may
belong. This regulation will have a tendency to prevent straggling and
skulking.

––-

Income of the Prince of Wales.–Ample
provision has been made by the British Parliament for the establishment
of the Prince of Wales. The House of Common, on the 19th ultimo,
unanimously approved Lord Palmerston’s proposition to settle upon the
Prince the sum of £40,000 a year, in addition to his annual income of
£60,000 from the Duchy of Cornwall, with an additional sum of £10,000
a year for eh Princess–in all £110,000 a year, or five hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, in addition to twenty years accumulation from
the revenue from his Duchy. These accumulations were greatly increased
by the personal care of the late Prince Albert.

––-

In
the interview recently with the Ute Chiefs whose tribe occupy a portion
of Colorado Territory, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs informed them
that if they created a disturbance with the whites, sufficient military
force will be sent to put them down. Whereupon the head chief coolly
expressed a doubt whether the government had the power to do so. These
Indians, though of roving habits, claim ownership of large tracts of
land.

A Slaughter of Indians.–Official
information has been received of Col. Conner’s severe battle and
splendid victory on Bear river, Washington Territory, after a forced
march of 140 miles in mid-winter, and through deep snow, in which 76 of
his men were disabled by frozen feet, and his gallant band of only 200
attacked 300 Indian warriors in their stronghold, and after a hard
fought battle of four hours, destroyed the entire band, leaving 224 dead
upon the field. Our loss was 14 killed and 49 wounded.

These
Indians had murdered several miners during the winter, and were part of
the same band that had been massacring emigrants on the overland mail
route for the last fifteen years, and were the principle actors and
leaders in the horrid crimes of the past summer.

During
Col. Conner’s march, no assistance was rendered by the Mormons, who
seemed indisposed, he says, to divulge any information regarding the
Indians, and charged enormous prices for every article furnished his
command.

––-

The
Pacific Mills, of Lawrence, are the most extensive in the world, giving
employment to over 2,500 operatives, and furnishing exclusive support
for nearly 10,000 people. The mill was built in 1854, two years after
its incorporation, and with a capital of $2,430,000. The kind of goods
manufactured are delaines, cashmeres, challis, calicoes, and print
lawns. The power is obtained from five turbine water-wheels. In the
manufacturing department, which is 800 feet in length, there are 62,000
spindles in operation, 1,600 looms, operated by 950 women, and the
average amount of cotton consumed per week is about 4,200 lbs., and of
wool 20,000 lbs., all of which when manufactured, makes 360,000 yards of
goods. The printing department comprises sixteen machines and 25,000,000
yards of goods are printed yearly.

––-

Alfred Smith, Esq., has
sold twenty houses heretofore rented for summer villas, and to the 1st
of April had rented over eighty houses, leaving but about twenty in his
hands for rent the coming season. The indications are that by the 1st of
May all of these will be taken and a want of this kind of accommodation
will be felt by those who desire to pass the summer in our city.

––-

The
rebel privateers continue their depredations. The Alabama
burned on February 21 the splendid ship Golden
Eagle of New York, bound for Queenstown, Ireland, with guano, and
destroyed on the same day the bark Olive
Jane of Boston, bound from Bordeaux to New York, with a rich cargo
of wines and fruits.

––-

A
lady, in speaking of a gathering of lawyers to dedicate a new court
house, said she supposed they had gone to view the ground where they
shortly must lie.

1 The
phrasing makes it sound like the Yankees built fires to silhouette their
own ships, but what is meant is that the rebels did.

3
This is not theMonitor, which had been lost at sea over a year earlier. That
ship’s name was afterwards used to describe ironclad ships in general,
and especially those designed with one or more of the turrets that had
distinguished theMonitor.